Apple iPhone 5s could be updated to iOS 12: Report

Apple had launched the iPhone 5s back in 2013.

Apple not only trumps Android over regular software updates, but also in how it continues support for older iPhones. Now it turns out, Apple might surprise everyone by rolling out iOS 12 update for a five-year-old device.

Apple has been spotted testing iOS 12 and the latest Safari browser version on an iPhone 5s. French-blog MacGeneration spotted comments in the open source WebKit mailing list that reference iOS 12 running on the iPhone 5s. This could be an indication that the upcoming OS update could be rolled out to the 2013 flagship device.

It would be quite surprising if Apple indeed rolls out another software update for a five-year-old device. The company usually drops support for an old iPhone with every new iOS update. To recall, Apple dropped support for iPhone 4s with iOS 10, and the iPhone 5/5c with iOS 11. By that logic, it is widely expected that the company would drop support for iPhone 5s with iOS 12.

Now, just because Apple is testing iOS 12 on an iPhone 5s doesn’t really guarantee a software update. It could very well be a case of Apple testing how well (or badly) the smartphone is able to handle the upcoming OS update.

It has been widely reported that Apple is tweaking its strategy for future iOS updates. Instead of introducing a host of new features on an new OS update, the company is focusing on stability and a bug-free experience. In fact, a report revealed how Apple has given its engineers the freedom to delay features that aren’t polished.

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That isn’t to say that iOS 12 won’t get new features. The new iOS update, codenamed ‘Peace’, is expected to bring about a deeper Siri integration, improvements to DND mode, a new multiplayer mode for AR games, Animoji feature for FaceTime, and a new universal app system. This system would essentially allow one app to work across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Currently, users have to download different versions of the same app for their phone, tablet and computer.